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Sunday, January 31, 2010

Sewing Meltdowns, Sweet Boys

Readers, I don't want to be overly dramatic. But: I had a sewing meltdown today. I've been working on a skirt from a vintage Vogue Couturier pattern, and it was poised to be fabulous. Black boucle, high waist, back pleats, the whole deal. Except I somehow made it about two inches too small in the waist. And serged off the seam allowances. I actually broke the zipper trying it on. So I did what any of us would do - I flopped down dramatically on the bed and started crying.Jeff gave me an excellent pep talk about creativity and art, and taking a break from the whole process. (He's a novelist so he understands these things.) And then little Henry came padding up, put his head down on my chest and collapsed sweetly into my arms, resulting in the photo above. (This is what a no makeup day looks like, in case you were curious.) Aren't my boys the sweetest?

So, as you might have gathered . . . I'm in a bad place, sewing-wise. I'm going to take the rest of the day to recuperate. I hope you all are having a better time of it than me! And, if not, don't be afraid to have a little cry and then relax a bit. There's always tomorrow, right?

45 comments:

How disappointing for you. It's always so frustrating when something like that happens.

Why don't you finish it anyway and auction it off or sell it on Etsy? I'm sure many of us (at least those small enough to fit it!) would welcome the idea of a fabulous Gertie made skirt! And like that you wouldn't feel it's been an entirely wasted effort.

Oh I'm so sorry to hear about your disappointment :( I had a similar meltdown today, had to rip apart a dress that I've been working on for a while - it was meant to be a simple, quick sew but it's dragged on for so long that I'm thoroughly tired of it! But as you say, there's always tomorrow :) I hope you feel better soon! I also agree with Nathalie's idea, I'd love to own a Gertie made skirt!

i've had this happen to me before as well. a couple times, in fact, which is why i no longer work with burda patterns. anyway, would it be possible to put like a little insert of fabric down each side? "it's a design element." maybe not the most authentic thing, but a thought...

i know how you feel, though. i've been so stymied by a fly assembly that i have a pair of cute brown plaid walking shorts that have been sitting on my sewing pile for months.

Meltdowns are terrible, so I'm happy to see that there's still some positivity there referring to another day tomorrow... Finish it off if it's not too much work (like, if it's only replacing the zipper), but if finishing craves lots of work I'd advice you to throw the whole skirt away. I hate repairing and finishing off things I'd never wear anyway... Out of sight, out of thought and then you can turn over a new leaf.

At least you look very happy in the picture, so I guess man and cat made you feel a little bit better...

Ha, I'm having a peppermint ice cream & sewing webs break at the moment to get away from a project that's going about that well! Starting right off with picking a dreamy fabric that clearly is above my current ability level to sew. Clever me, thought, well, you never know whether you're ready for the deep end til you jump in, right? Hmph. O dewy-eyed optimistic grasshopper. Don't you know sewing is always just waiting to break your heart when you take foolhardy, expensive risks? Anyway I won't bore you with the list but it's like this project is jinxed; everything that could go wrong has. Probably my trying to cope with a fabric that behaves more like a vapor than a solid has had something to do with the cascade of other crazy, but I can't blame the fabric on my cutting one of the skirt pieces 1.5 inches shorter than the rest, now can I? I think you have the right idea (and a couple of wonderful boys)!

I'm sorry to hear you're having a sewing meltdown. Human and feline boys are the best. I know it would ruin the lovely high-waistedness, but would it be feasible to lower the waistline? Or maybe that would ruin the design. That has helped me in the past.

Poor you - that's so disappointing. I think Nathalie has the right idea though with the auction/Etsy though. The skirt sounds fabulous and you have so many fans; I bet someone would love to own that and then you could turn your offending meltdown-inducer into a happy emissary of sewing love in someone else's wardrobe. Then make another one for yourself when you can face it!

Sewing wouldn't be sewing if things didn't turn out impossibly tiny or hugely oversized once in a while. You would think we would learn to baste the pieces together and fit it, but we don't, do we? Chin up, Gertie, it's happened to us all. Have some ice cream. The side panel solution suggested earlier is not too bad. Make it work :-)

I agree with Nathalie--auction the skirt off. Give the proceeds either to a charity or to stash enhancement. If you can't make something fabulous out of the remains, then you probably need to erase all evidence of the failure. Selling the skirt seems more productive than tossing it.

Oh, that SUCKS! Today, I had to rip out stitches not once, but twice, on a shirt I've actually made 2x before! Because I forgot to shorten the waist. 3 hours turned into 8 but at least it's all good in the end. Finding your beautiful garment doesn't fit, well that's really not nice.

An idea: maybe you would like to offer it as a contest prize? I would LOVE to have the chance to win something made by you. :-) xo

I agree...modify it for yourself or sell it! I'm sure that it is wonderfully sewn.I have been having a sewing size challenge today as well. I took accurate measurements this morning. But the dress I am making today is turning out too big! I have only made three things for myself in my entire life (all of my sewing has been for family or friends) and all three have been too big! Time to learn! Hang in there, you are an inspiration!

So sorry to hear of your sewing troubles. Myself...working on the pattern and muslin for my Chanel jacket. I thought I'd be further along then I am!!! The plan for the weekend was to adjust the pattern, cut out the muslin and sew that baby up.

Right now it is Sunday evening, 8:30 pm EST and I have all but one piece left to adjust and trace for my pattern. UGH...I had to redo the side front piece twice and then messed up on the under sleeve twice. I'm down to tracing and adjusting the upper sleeve but my back couldn't take it anymore. So off to the bedroom I went with my laptop and trusty pup "Lola"...she keeps my feet warm. ~lol~ Aren't pets wonderful??? They know when you are feeling low and know how to bring your spirits back up.

I love you! I know how you feel. Exactly how you feel. Isn't it so awful, especially when you actually used a fabric, not muslin and you've had such fabulous sewing triumphs and everything? I thoroughly feel your pain. Sometimes a good cry is the best thing in the world. And a good treat. Don't forget to buy yourself something lavish tomorrow.

Oh, hugs to you! I can empathize; I've had similar mishaps. Poor gal, I'm glad Jeff and Henry were there for you. Nathalie's idea is great, if you have the heart to part with it.

Hope the rest of your day got better. When I have a meltdown like that, some kitty love and some cookies help, plus maybe a funny movie. Then I can put myself back together and start the next day off right.

What was it Anne of Green Gables said, something like "Tomorrow is a fresh day with no mistakes in it." Here's to a better tomorrow!

awww there is nothing like a sweet pussy cat to help you feel better, though. I did exactly the same thing with the last skirt I made. Magnificent and I used the fabric from an old skirt, so no more fabric... Fortunately I managed to take the seams out a little and I could just get it on. Unfortunately I think I've gained about 5kg in the last 2 weeks, so I doubt I'll be wearing it any time soon.

Oooh my gosh, what a day of meltdowns. I had a similar one over mistakenly sending out the wrong e-mail to a job recruiter (then realizing I had freaked out over nothing, and it was the right one after all) combined with general what-am-I-going-to-do-I'm-graduating-college meltdown. I needed a break and a cool-down, too. So good for you to have your guys there for you at a time like that. Everyone has their meltdowns.

I've just had this happen to me - with two garments. The first one was going to be a fabulous purple high waisted pencil skirt with front released darts and a peek-a-boo panel at the back. All going well until the waist. The other one was a dress I did a tissue fit for, and then when I tried it on it was about 7cm too large in the bust and the waist! I had a terrible time taking it in. Tears ensued after each one. Ah well.

Nice to know, I am not the only one getting in that mood, when failing.I have been working on V8280 the past week and fitting the pattern as FFRP says. But it became WAY too big. I have taken it in 8 cm in all in circumference and then the bust was wrong. I thougth I had it fixed, but after doing the shoulders, I became aware, that my fix just doesn't was enough. So a new fitting has been done in paper and I hope to recut the original bodice front. Otherwise it will go in the wastepaperbin :(So all in all I was in the worst mood yesterday :(

Poor you! I hope the skirt can be salvaged, particularly if it's lovely fabric. That photo is just gorgeous - I wish my cat were as supportive as Henry. Mine just practises her disdainful looks on me when I have sewing meltdowns.

I know the feeling - I burnt a hole in the cuff of a chiffon blouse the other day....it was a combination of a too hot iron and the distraction caused by scampering cats....

I had to piece together fabric for the new cuff, and haven't been back to the project since - I'm too afraid I'll mess it up again. I've already put the collar on three times, re-pleated the sleeves twice, and ripped out many many stitches because I wasn't paying attention to where the stupid fabric was slipping.

You do not know how many sewing meltdowns I've had! I've always managed to make things radically smaller than I needed. So my sympathies are with you. You husband sounds so sweet with his pep-talk! ;) I know when I have a bad sewing day, usually if my husband talks a little sense to me about things, it helps me stop freaking out (or just totally doubting my abilities to sew). :p

But sometimes the best remedy is a good cry and a little "pampering". ;)

I've been there! There are always those days where I end up wanting to throw my machine out the window and cast myself, Ophelia-like, into the nearest body of water. Rest assured, there will be better sewing days to come!

Oh, Gertie, I feel your pain. I spent his Saturday trying to make a My Twin dressform. This involved wrapping my entire torso in cold, wet strips of plaster and trying to remain motionless in my underheated apartment while it dried, which the instructions said should take "5 to 10 minutes". When we began cutting into the plaster we realized that the instructions had been written for people living in Arizona and not in cold, damp London, and the still-wet plaster sagged and tore into a flapping, shapeless mass. FAIL. Hours of suffering and expense for nothing. To top it all off I was cold, covered in plaster and wearing only a girdle and a garbage bag. We called it a day and went out and got drunk.